Every time I go to the pond, I have to realize that I haven't got up early enough, because by the time I get to the hide it's getting light and I bundle off the birds. It wasn't different today either. But the weather conditions were prosperous: no wind, the early mist above the water makes photography more interesting.
A couple of little grebes however floated too early near the hide, there wasn't enough light for photography. Though they were close indeed this time. Then the mist started to disappear with the sunshine and the birds became visible:
Coot
The birds stayed especially near the opposite shore of the pond except the black winged stilts which were attracted by the shallow water near the hide:
Black-winged Stilt
Black-winged Stilt
Near the opposite shore two swans appeared as well:
Mute Swans
Black-winged Stilt
Black-winged Stilt
Black-winged Stilt
Black-winged Stilt
This mallard floated quite close to my hide:
Black-winged Stilt
I tried to take backlight shots of the coots:
Coot
Coot
Coot
The usual wing fluttering:
Coot
Coot
Black-winged Stilt
Coot
Two avocets appeared for a short time, here's one of them:
Avocet
Meanwhile the scenes went on by backlight:
Coot
Coot
Coot
Coot
Coot
Coot
Coot
The stilts sometimes came very close while searching for food in the water:
Black-winged Stilt
Black-winged Stilt
Black-winged Stilt
Black-winged Stilt
Meanwhile I was a witness of the stilts' nuptial activity. I saw them mating 3 times this morning. First one was taking place by good light conditions. Before mating the female takes the usual posture and waits for the male's approach ...:
Black-winged Stilt
... which goes round her a few times flapping the water with its beak then fumbles in his plumage a bit with his beak...:
Black-winged Stilt
Black-winged Stilt
Black-winged Stilt
Black-winged Stilt
Black-winged Stilt
Black-winged Stilt
Black-winged Stilt
Then it jumps on the back of the female and they mate:
Black-winged Stilt
Black-winged Stilt
When the job's done and the male has put his feet onto the ground they stay together a few moments joyfully ...:
Black-winged Stilt
... before they continue their usual activity:
Black-winged Stilt
Black-winged Stilt
Black-winged Stilt
Black-winged Stilt
Black-winged Stilt
Then I caught a little grebe fluttering its wings:
Little Grebe
Little Grebe
Little Grebe
Black-winged Stilt
Black-winged Stilt
Then a redshank came for a bath:
Redshank
Black-winged Stilt
Black-winged Stilt
Black-winged Stilt
Black-winged Stilt
This moorhen floated here from the opposite shore:
Moorhen
Later a few male mallards approached the hide while feeding:
Mallard (male)
Although they floated on the water they required a good bath too:
Mallard (male)
Mallard (male)
Mallard (male)
The photographer should be prepared as they usually make a few flaps with their wings after the bath:
Mallard (male)
Mallard (male)
A few whiskered terns and black terns appeared above the water, they splashed sometimes into the water, even had a bath:
Whiskered Tern
Whiskered Tern
One of them settled on top of a stick near the hide and stayed there for hours.
Feeding:
Mallard (male)
Suddenly I could hear a female mallard's quiet voice, then it appeared soon. But look! It's not alone! About 12 little hatchlings are following her. They stopped in front of the hide, ...:
Mallard
... to continue their way after a short time.
Fortunately they floated near the hide a few times, so I could take a few shots of them:
Mallard
It was amazing to watch how the little creatures were picking insects eagerly from the water:
Mallard
Sometimes they set off like a bullet after an insect:
Mallard
Mallard
They are most charming at this age.
After some time they disappeared somewhere near the opposite shore of the pond. I hope I meet them next time too.
This morning has been a great experience, and I managed to aquire a rich stuff today.
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